Piano-key.



J. AMMON.

PIANO KEY.

Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

UNITED srArEs PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN AMMON, on NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 HENRY CHRISTMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PIANO-KEY.

Application filed January 27, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J OHN Aiurox, a citizen of the United States, residing at the borough of Manhattan, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Piano-Keys, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to improvements in keys and more particularly has reference to the key bearing of a musical instriilment although of course the invention may be adapted for the bearing of keys used for purposes other than in musical instruments.

Figure 1 illustrates in perspective, with parts omitted, a piano key and its bearings. Fig. 2 is a cross section through about the center of a modified form of key and bearing. Fig. is a similar view of another modification and Fig. 4 is also a similar view of another modification.

5 indicates the piano key, and 6 the usual central pin bearing for the same.

7 indicates the usual. bore vertically through the center of the key through which said pin bearing projects, and 8 indicates the central base section of the key having an opening of smaller area than the opening 7 engaging the pin 6 to prevent the lateral movement of the key after the same has been mounted.

The small hole through the central base section of piano keys becomes enlarged from wear and causes the keys to become loose and out of alinement. This condition is often observed after the piano has been in use for only a short period of time, due to the fact in many cases that the keys are operated considerably and fitted and replaced frequently in the piano before it leaves the factory. In overcoming this objection I prefer to employ strips of parchment adjacent to the small hole in the central base portion of the key although other materials may be substituted with more or less satisfaction.

In Fig. 1, 9 indicates a piece of parchment upon the upper surface of the central Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

Serial No. 744,323.

base portion of the key bearing, and the re stricted hole to accommodate the central. pin 6 is made through the parchment 9 and the thin strip of wood 8 of the proper size, after which the same is secured in place by glue or other suitable means. By this ar rangement it will be found that the restricted hole does not wear as rapidly and does not become elongated or spread and the keys will be found to maintain alinement and will operate snugly upon their bearings with perfect freedom for a very considerable length of time.

In the modification shown in Fig. 2, it will be observed that the strip of wood 8 is beveled as shown at 10 and in the modification shown in Fig. 3, the parchment 9 may be introduced between strips of wood such as 88 and the holes in the strips may be beveled in opposite directions as shown to reduce friction if desired. In the modification shown in Fig. &, I have shown a piece of leather 11 which may be beveled and fitted into the key as shown. This arrangement it will be found, will insure better wear although the leather is apt to become hard and the parchment has been found preferable.

Of course it will be understood that the parchment or other material may be se cured in various ways and may be kept in various forms, and in fact various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

In combination with a piano key and beneath the center of the same, a piece of tough material through which the pin bearing of said key projects, a strip of wood to which said material is fastened upon the inside, and means for securing said strip of wood and said material to the base of said key.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN AMMON.

Witnesses:

MEYER PI-IILLIPs, JOHN B. ConnrGAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

